Thursday, April 21, 2011

Freewaves, Self Help Graphics & Art, La Causa and The East LA Society of Film and Arts (TELA SOFA) presentDREAM + ACT Film, videos, activism and information on immigration
at Self Help Graphics’ new home

Who has the right to study and work in the U.S.?
When people contribute socially and economically to a society, are they not citizens?
Is there a way for the politically disenfranchised to feasibly gain American citizenship?

On Saturday, April 30, Freewaves, Self Help Graphics & Art, La Causa and TELA SOFA will present DREAM + ACT, a selection of visual art and activism focused on immigration as it relates to communities in Los Angeles and beyond. Through film and video, DREAM + ACT will express multiple visions and viewpoints on the realities of immigration and how it affects us. We aim to build a community of dialogue and bridge the cultural communities in Los Angeles and countries around the globe.

In addition to providing encouragement for film and video makers and activists, this event seeks to promote deeper understanding of our diverse city by presenting a wide array of perspectives on the complex issue of immigration. The community will be able to interact with the filmmakers to further explore the issues addressed.

Program

7:30pm Discussion on the status of immigration and Dream Act organizing
8:30pm Screening of curated short films and videos
9:30pm Q & A with film and videomakers

TELA SOFA’s mission is to offer a venue for all interested filmmakers, first-time through professional, to explore issues affecting our world today while connecting them with the Hollywood film industry.

Self Help Graphics & Art (SHG) is a nationally recognized center for Latino arts that develops and nurtures artists in printmaking. SHG advances Latino art broadly through programming, exhibitions and outreach to diverse audiences in East Los Angeles and beyond and engages young and emerging artists from the community in all aspects of its activities.

Freewaves is dedicated to the creative exhibition of the most innovative and culturally relevant independent new media from around the world. Freewaves facilitates cross-cultural dialogues by inventing dynamic new media exhibition forms at experimental and established venues throughout Los Angeles.

LA CAUSA (Los Angeles Communities Advocating for Unity, Social Justice, and Action) engages historically disenfranchised young people and their families from East Los Angeles to take action against the injustices that impact low-income communities of color.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Thanks to Rafa for sharing the pic of me from the first Ciclavia of this year. Ohh, that's right, for those of ya'll that may not know, we attach Dream Act art work to our bikes for rides and events and ride around. As you can see from the pic, it looks pretty cool at times. Anyway, check out this video of me at a conference getting totally caught of guard, which is what PJ, the guy filming, wanted to capture. The human, realistic side of people when we aren't protesting, yelling or being activist for the cameras. It's pretty funny and be sure to check out the Dream Team L.A. website too.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Monday, April 04, 2011

And thus I find myself coming full circle. In March of 2007 I made the choice to move to L.A. from Utah. I slepped in a borrowed sleeping on friends floors for 2 1/2 years. I went to work and school and basically returned to the house when I was tired. I hated that time because even though I had no home to call my own, except the floor in my friends room, I started on the path that I'm currently on.

It's been 5 years to the day and here I am again, refamiliarizing myself with that same sleeping bag at another friends house. Funny thing is that as much as somethings stay the same, others have grown phenomenaly. Part of me wanted to move back to Utah with my mom and sister. It meant not having responcibilities anymore, of any kind to anyone or group.

Another part of me wanted to drink anti-freeze because jumping off of something or throwing myself in front of a bus, while highly dramatic and attention grabbing, would be way too painful and I could very well end up alive and horribly hurt. God forbid I cost tax payers money if I'm taken to a hospital.

But a bigger part of me reach out to the numerous close friends I have and told them what's going on. They all opened their homes, lives and kitchens with me. For some reason beyond my comprehension they like me and wanna help me. This time around, I found that I'm never alone and that things will work out for the best. I owe others too much to give up or fail. Soone step at at time I'll continue to try and make a dollar outta 15 cents

Seal of Approval

Search This Blog

Reasons I write

'I have an ancient mariner's need to share my accumulation of experience and observation. A graphic witness reporting on life, deaths, heart-break and the never ending struggle to prevail or at least survive.' Will Eisner ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have spent the majority of my life here in the US. Growing up without a legal status is a unique, but not singular, experience. My identity and view of this world and my living situation are in constantly motion.
This blog is nothing more than a diary of sorts, to carve out my own little space in the world.
Erick Huerta